Chapter One: The Proposition
Serena Isabelle Vale adjusted the strap of her bag, her fingers tightening around the worn leather as she stepped into the opulent lobby of Blackwood Enterprises. The sheer grandeur of the place—polished marble floors, gold-trimmed pillars, and a massive crystal chandelier—was enough to make her stomach twist with nerves.
This was a mistake.
And yet, here she was.
She took a deep breath, reminding herself why she was here. This meeting could be the breakthrough her career needed. Damian Alexander Blackwood was one of the most powerful men in the world—a billionaire whose name was both revered and feared in the business industry. Exclusive interviews with him were unheard of, and yet, he had requested her. Personally.
“Miss Vale?” A sharply dressed assistant approached her, an unreadable expression on her face. “Mr. Blackwood will see you now.”
Serena forced a polite smile and nodded, following the woman through the sleek glass doors leading to the executive floor. The walk felt endless, and her pulse quickened with each step. By the time she reached his office, her palms were damp.
The assistant opened the door, and Serena stepped inside.
The office was breathtaking, just like the man sitting behind the massive mahogany desk. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the Manhattan skyline behind him, casting a golden glow across the room. But it was Damian himself who commanded her full attention.
He was devastatingly handsome—tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit that emphasized his powerful frame. His dark hair was tousled just enough to look effortlessly sexy, and his sharp, chocolate-brown eyes studied her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.
“Miss Vale.” His voice was deep, smooth, and entirely too confident. “You’re punctual. I like that.”
Serena squared her shoulders, determined not to let him see the effect he had on her. “I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity like this.”
His lips curved into the ghost of a smile. “Good. Have a seat.”
She sat across from him, crossing her legs and resting her hands on her lap to keep them from fidgeting. “You requested me personally. Why?”
Damian leaned back in his chair, studying her as if deciding how much to reveal. “I’ve read your work. You’re relentless. Unapologetically honest. You don’t back down.”
Serena arched a brow. “You make that sound like a bad thing.”
“On the contrary.” He smirked. “I admire it. Which is why I have a proposition for you.”
She tilted her head slightly. “What kind of proposition?”
Damian’s gaze darkened, amusement flickering in his eyes. “A month. I want you to shadow me for a full month. Exclusive access to my world—business, personal life, everything.”
Serena’s heart pounded. This was unheard of. No journalist had ever been given such unrestricted access to Damian Blackwood.
“And the catch?” she asked, knowing there had to be one.
His smirk deepened. “My rules. You write what I allow. You follow where I go. No exceptions.”
She inhaled sharply. “That’s not exactly ethical journalism.”
“It’s the deal I’m offering.” His voice was smooth but firm. “Take it, and you’ll have the kind of story no one else in the world will ever get.”
Serena stared at him, her mind racing. This was dangerous territory. A month under Damian Blackwood’s control? It was madness.
And yet, she couldn’t ignore the thrill curling in her stomach.
She was playing with fire.
And she was about to jump straight into the flames.
She took a breath and met his gaze head-on. “Alright, Mr. Blackwood. You have yourself a deal.”
His eyes darkened with something she couldn’t quite name, and for a brief moment, she wondered if she had just made a deal with the devil himself.
Only time would tell.
